Dear Colleague!

I have received your lengthy letter and I see that we must clarify our position again and again.

First — a particular matter. One cannot find correspondents for 2 kopecks per line. As long as there is no money, we shall have to content ourselves with our own articles on foreign affairs.

Now — the main point. You complain of monotony. But this will always be the case if polemics are not published — if Kamenev is simply cut out (he writes in a different tone) — if everything is forced into the mould of "positive liquidationism." And besides, you will drive away contributors altogether if you do not publish articles, do not even respond, and do not send them back (for example, mine: a reply to Blanc — important! "Unquenched Hopes" 87 and a number of others!!).

Look: the "Nevsky Golos" is conducted more lively. It is not afraid of polemics. It provokes.

It boldly carries things through to their conclusion.

By avoiding "sore questions," "Zvezda" and "Pravda" make themselves dry and monotonous, uninteresting.

* — "Workers and Nation." Ed.